Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-02-10
Our Columbus Letter.
Foraker Declines denomination for
Reasons.
Local Option Still Further Deferred.
(From Our Regular CorrespOndent.)
COLUMBUS, o.. Feb. 8, 1887.

tWelYe months, no surprise was manifested
as it has been perfectly apparent that that
individual-the present Governor of Ohio
is about as well played out as politician and
as Governor as one could we'll be. The
cause or causes of his declination may be
given in a few words. They are: l. His
Skin cane" speech made ]. B. laughing
stock and bye-word, so much 80, that even
the small boy, when he sees him going along
the street, exclaims-"there goes skin cane
Foraker. 2. His appointments, with very
few exceptions, have been odious and de-
testable to the decent and better class of Re-
publicans. 3. The treatment he has received
since he became Governor, especially from
what is called the columbus Club" who
purchased the house he lived in, and in the
dead of the present winter made him and his
family ''get up and get out" 4. He sees the
handwriting on the WALL" He knows that
the decade year which has the figure in it,
in Ohio since 1927, has never failed to go
Democratic, and 1887 will be no exception to
the general rule. Other reasons could be
given why Foraker declines again to be a
candidate for Governor, but these will suf-
fee for the present.
| GREENS SUNDAY BILL-LoCAL OPTION.
As before noticed, "Green's Sunday bill"
was reconsidered in the House, and referred
to the committee on prisons and prison re-
form, of which its author is the chairman.
From the actions of the Republicans in the
Legislature, it looks as if such reference
was made for the purpose of placing it "be-
hind prison bars" to prevent its escape, and
not let it be heard of again. The general
brought up. Why? Because that greatest of
political frauds, the Cincinnati Law and
Order League of 100, which acts exclusively
in the interest of the Republican party, say
they do not wish it to become law, as they
wish the Republican party to secure the solid
liquor vote of that county this year as they
did last; and it also looks as if the author of
the bill had the interest of that party more
at heart than he has the "better observance
of the Sabbath"
There is but one local option bill before
this Legislature which will stand constitu-
tional test, and that is the Washburn bill; but
the Republican leaders will not let it be
brought forward, but spend their time
monkeying with the Lampoon, Fimple or
some such bill, which will not stand that test.
Why is this? Or why does that party, which
pharisaically boasts of having within its
organization all the temperance, virtue,
morality and Sunday observance there is in
the country, act SO hypocritically? Because
their leaders last fall promised the liquor
men of Hamilton county, that if they would
vote and use their influence for the Republi-
can party, no law injuring their interests in
any manner, should be passed by the present
Republican Legislatures; and none will be
passed.
WHY THE RESERVE IS soLIDLY REPUBLICAN.
Your correspondent was more than ordi-
narily interested few days since, when he
heard two Republican members ofthe House
-one from the Southern and the other from
the Western part of the State-earnestly dis
cussing the local option question, which Is
now engaging the attention of the average
Republican member. The southern member
said it would not do to pass local option
bill of any kind if the Republican party of
Ohio wished to secure this year as they did
last, the solid liquor vote of Hamilton county.
The western member suggested, that if this
Legislature did not pass 10 cal option bill,
and thereby secure the solid liquor vote of
Hamilton county, would they not lose more
Republican votes on the Western Reserve by
doing so than they would gain in Hamilton
county. To this the southern member re-
sponded: "You never need have any fears
about the Republicans of Ohio losing any of
their votes on the Western Reserve" 'Why?'
asked the western member. Because"
said the southern member, "the Republican
party can pass or refuse to pass any meas ure
it pleases, or do any other act, no difference
how odious or detestable it is, they will be
upheld and sustained by the sold Republican
vote of the Reserve, because the Republicans
there are so prejudiced against the Demo-
cratic party, that nothing could induce them
to vote any other ticket but the straight Re-
publican ticket, as they always have done,
and will continue to do" We believed then
and still believe that the southern Republi-
can member knew what he was talking about.
NOTES.
One of the institutions belonging to the
State, which its citizens should, and we be-
lieve do, take pride in, is the Ohio State
University. The small amount asked for by
its trustees, to keep up repairs and make
needed improvements, ought to be appro-
priated unanimously by the Legislature.
If it were not for the February settlements,
the State Treasury would be as dry as pow
der horn, so far as the general revenue fund
is concerned.
The Penitentiary only run some $4,000 be-
hind in the month of January; and yet it is
under full Republican management AS the
Clerk of that institution seems anxious to
have the Office of Secretary-the watch dog
of its finances-abolished, some of the men,
bers of the Legislature say he can be furnish
ed with more work, for which he seems so
anxious, by abolishing the Office of assistant
clerk.
A bill has been introduced-and it ought
to become a law--to increase the pay of
guards from $65 to $75 a month-the small
pittance of $40 month Every man who is
a guard there, takes his life in his hands every
time he goes on duty, and should receive
more pay than he now does.
One of the "sweet meats" the Republicans